Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s floor speech.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, delivered remarks on the Senate Floor in full support of Israel, and on the importance of addressing national security concerns at home and abroad.

Since the October 7th terrorist attacks on Israel, Senator Capito has been outspoken on her support for the State of Israel and in condemnation of Hamas. Senator Capito led her Republican colleagues in a series of floor speeches on the topic last week, supported and voted in favor of a resolution in support of Israel that passed the U.S. Senate, and spoke on broader national security concerns and a Senate-crafted supplemental at the Senate Republican Leadership Press Conference yesterday.

Senator Capito’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below:

“Mr/Madam President—

“Since my address on this floor last week, violence continues to rage in Israel.

“We continue to hear the horrific and heartbreaking stories of Hamas’ vicious attacks on innocent Israeli civilians and families, and American citizens remain unaccounted for or are being held hostage by Hamas in the wake of their unjustifiable terrorist attacks on the nation of Israel.

“In this chamber and in this country, our support for Israel and their right to defend themselves does not waver. We must stand with our ally and friend as they continue to withstand barbaric attacks from terrorist militant groups and threats from all directions.

“There is absolutely no question that now is the time for American leadership. Our response needs to be united, and our response must meet the urgency created by a moment like this.

“As a world superpower, the United States of America has both the responsibility and the wherewithal to support our allies, especially as they come under attack by nefarious adversaries.

“It is becoming vitally important that our nation recognizes this. That the American public hear the stories from those in Israel and that we understand the brutal, inhumane, and devastating tactics that Hamas is deploying on the residents of the Jewish State.

“Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to two American families who have members of their own family held hostage by Hamas. These stories are gut-wrenching and bring to light what is truly happening in Israel right now.

“Elderly families ripped from their homes, children taken from their parents, family members executed in front of their loved ones.

“I’m a mother myself. I’m also a grandmother, and I know that everyone in this chamber has family members and loved ones they care deeply about.

“Could you imagine? This is the reality that the Israeli people are facing every day.

“These attacks need to be condemned and denounced in the strongest possible terms, and make it all-the-more imperative that the United States provides the support needed to make it stop and root out the evil of Hamas.

“It is impossible to understate the outsized role that Iran has played in the past eighteen days since the initial attack.

“We know that Iran is financially supporting Hamas. We know that Iran has helped reinforce Hamas’ military strength and capabilities. We know that Iran is backing Hezbollah, who stands at the ready to open a second front in this war along the Israel/Lebanon border.

“We know that Iranian-backed militias are responsible for the recent increase in attacks on U.S. personnel deployed in the Middle East, and we know that Iran harbors deep resentment and hatred for the United States of America and our ally – Israel.

“Make no mistake, Iran is an evil empire, and they will be held accountable for these attacks as well. Sanctions need to be imposed and enforced on this regime and all others that are complicit in the illicit Iranian oil trade which funds terror and aggression in the Middle-East.

“The unmistakable anti-American hatred from Iran and its allies creates broader questions regarding our national security. It highlights the importance of investments in our own homeland security and national defense.

“We are at a very difficult juncture right now, and the security of America and the defense of our allies remains our first priority.

“In addition to the terrorist attacks on Israel: there is a large-scale ground war in Europe perpetrated by Russia – the likes of which we have not seen since World War II, China continues to increase their posture and pressure towards Taiwan, and the southern border of our own country remains under siege with 2.48 million migrant encounters in Fiscal Year 2023 – a new record. Not to mention, 169 of those encounters were people on our terror watch list, which is more than the last six fiscal years combined.

“Now is the time to make intentional investments into our national security across the board. Support for Israel, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and our southern border is paramount and will serve to directly invest back into our own country and our own defense.

“America’s place on the world stage requires a level of leadership and accountability that we must accept with authority, while always prioritizing the needs of our country first and the support of our allies. The good news is, when we support the defense of our allies, we are also supporting our own security and deterrence.

“I am supportive of providing supplemental funding toward our defense capabilities, our southern border, Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific allies because it is in the best interest of the United States of America. However, the Senate will certainly have a say on this supplemental.

“The Senate needs to craft a response to the attacks on Israel and the other national security emergencies of this time. Where the Biden administration has been defined by shakiness, the Senate needs to be defined by strength, and make certain that our country is ready and able to act.

“There is no doubt that the United States is currently being tested by our adversaries. But, we must make certain to never respond with weakness.

“By working together, I’m confident in our ability to lead. We must meet the moment as our nation has done in times of trial before.

“That is what will define this body and our country moving forward.

“With that, I yield the floor.”

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